Social media integration for transport arrangement service

ABSTRACT

A computing system can receive a pick-up request including a carpool service preference from a requesting user. The system can access user data of the requesting user and a plurality of potential carpool riders, and determine one or more common links between the requesting user and each of one or more carpool riders of the plurality of potential carpool riders. The system may then select the one or more carpool riders to ride with the requesting user in the carpool vehicle, and transmit a notification to the requesting user to indicate the one or more common links between the requesting user and each of the one or more carpool riders.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/221,933, filed on Jul. 28, 2016, which claims the benefit of priorityto U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/282,490, filed on Jul. 30, 2015;the aforementioned priority applications being hereby incorporated byreference in their respective entireties.

BACKGROUND

With the advent of application-based on-demand transportation services,the connectivity between riders and drivers is vastly expanding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure herein is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which likereference numerals refer to similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example transport arrangementand networking system as described herein;

FIG. 2 is a high level flow chart illustrating an example method forfacilitating user connectivity in connection with a transportationarrangement service;

FIG. 3 is a low level flow chart illustrating an example method forfacilitating user connectivity in connection with a transportationarrangement service;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are example screenshots illustrating a user deviceexecuting applications including features as provided herein;

FIG. 4C is an example graphical user interface (GUI) showing a userdevice on which example notifications are presented, as provided herein;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a computer system upon whichexamples described herein may be implemented; and

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile computing device uponwhich examples described herein may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some examples described herein, a transport arrangement service isprovided to facilitate networked transportation services to matchdrivers with requesting users. In accordance with examples describedherein, the transport arrangement service can provide one or moreapplication program interfaces (APIs) for developers of clientapplications (e.g., social media applications) so that users can beprovided with open access to data and services across multipleplatforms. For example, a social media application can utilize the APIsto communicate with both the social networking service itself and thetransport arrangement service. Such interconnectivity can allow for muchbroader user experiences when accessing the transport arrangementservice or engaging with other users of the transport arrangementservice.

In many examples, a transport arrangement and networking system isprovided to facilitate transportation services and social interactionbetween users of the transportation services. The transport arrangementand networking system can receive, over a network, pick-up requests fromuser devices of requesting users, and provide invitations to driverdevices of proximate available drivers to service those pick-uprequests. Each of the user devices and the driver devices can run adesignated application connected with the transport arrangement service.A requesting user is enabled to select from a number of transportservice types prior to submitting the transport request (e.g., a carpoolservice type). Additionally or alternatively, the transport arrangementservice can be accessed via embedded buttons and/or widget features on aparticular social media application displayed on the user's mobiledevice. In some example, such features can be associated with upcomingevents and/or calendar data presented on a social media feed. The usermay select an embedded service button on a particular event in order toschedule a transport arrangement to a venue associated with the eventand/or check-in to the event upon arrival.

Upon receiving confirmation to service a specified pick-up request froma proximate driver, the transport arrangement and networking system canprovide additional facilitation services leveraging social mediainterconnectivity between the requesting user, the confirmed driver, andany number of carpool participants. For example, when a user selects acarpool service, the user may not know the other users being picked upin the carpool. The transport arrangement and networking system utilizethe APIs to access social media data of each of the carpool ridersand/or the driver to identify potential points of connectivity. Suchpoints of connectivity can include certain commonalities on one or moresocial media applications (e.g., friends or friends of friends onFacebook, connections to educational institutions, work-relatedconnections or connections to a particular company, hometownconnections, common countries of origin or places of birth, and thelike). At the same time, examples as described address a specificproblem which is encountered by people in many semi-socialgatherings—specifically, how shared interests can be discovered if agiven situation does not permit, or lend itself to human discussion andinformation gathering (e.g., introductions by the persons in thesituation). Accordingly, some embodiments provide an intermediateservice which enables functionality for obtaining such information,without involvement from the humans whom may be engaged with sharedinterest.

In certain implementations, the transport arrangement and networkingsystem can further provide an option for a requesting user to select acarpool “association” service. Selection of the carpool associationservice can cause the transport arrangement and networking system toidentify, as potential carpool riders with the requesting user, onlythose users who have one or more points of connectivity or social mediacommonalities with the requesting user. For example, upon receiving thecarpool association selection, the transport arrangement and networkingsystem can access social media data, such as the requesting user'sprofile on any number of social media applications, to identify othercarpool association requestors that have points of connectivity with therequesting user.

Among other benefits, the examples described herein achieve a technicaleffect of improving user and driver access and social connectivity inconnection with transport arrangement services.

As used herein, a computing device refer to devices corresponding todesktop computers, cellular devices or smartphones, personal digitalassistants (PDAs), laptop computers, tablet devices, television (IPTelevision), etc., that can provide network connectivity and processingresources for communicating with the system over a network. A computingdevice can also correspond to custom hardware, in-vehicle devices, oron-board computers, etc. The computing device can also operate adesignated application configured to communicate with the networkservice.

One or more examples described herein provide that methods, techniques,and actions performed by a computing device are performedprogrammatically, or as a computer-implemented method. Programmatically,as used herein, means through the use of code or computer-executableinstructions. These instructions can be stored in one or more memoryresources of the computing device. A programmatically performed step mayor may not be automatic.

One or more examples described herein can be implemented usingprogrammatic modules, engines, or components. A programmatic module,engine, or component can include a program, a sub-routine, a portion ofa program, or a software component or a hardware component capable ofperforming one or more stated tasks or functions. As used herein, amodule or component can exist on a hardware component independently ofother modules or components. Alternatively, a module or component can bea shared element or process of other modules, programs or machines.

Some examples described herein can generally require the use ofcomputing devices, including processing and memory resources. Forexample, one or more examples described herein may be implemented, inwhole or in part, on computing devices such as servers, desktopcomputers, cellular or smartphones, personal digital assistants (e.g.,PDAs), laptop computers, printers, digital picture frames, networkequipment (e.g., routers) and tablet devices. Memory, processing, andnetwork resources may all be used in connection with the establishment,use, or performance of any example described herein (including with theperformance of any method or with the implementation of any system).

Furthermore, one or more examples described herein may be implementedthrough the use of instructions that are executable by one or moreprocessors. These instructions may be carried on a computer-readablemedium. Machines shown or described with figures below provide examplesof processing resources and computer-readable mediums on whichinstructions for implementing examples disclosed herein can be carriedand/or executed. In particular, the numerous machines shown withexamples of the invention include processor(s) and various forms ofmemory for holding data and instructions. Examples of computer-readablemediums include permanent memory storage devices, such as hard drives onpersonal computers or servers. Other examples of computer storagemediums include portable storage units, such as CD or DVD units, flashmemory (such as carried on smartphones, multifunctional devices ortablets), and magnetic memory. Computers, terminals, network enableddevices (e.g., mobile devices, such as cell phones) are all examples ofmachines and devices that utilize processors, memory, and instructionsstored on computer-readable mediums. Additionally, examples may beimplemented in the form of computer-programs, or a computer usablecarrier medium capable of carrying such a program.

System Description

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example transport arrangementand networking system 100. The system 100 can include a media interface115 providing access and connectivity to any number of social mediaservice providers 185 over a network 180. Furthermore, the system 100can provide public APIs to the social media providers to enable dataaccess between resources of the system 100 and the social mediaproviders 185 (e.g., databases and/or servers storing user data, such asprofile data, indicating potential cross-media commonality links betweenusers). Users of the system 100 can be involved in various social mediaand networking services each providing a particular focus or targetedservice. Such networking services can include social media andcommunication providers, such as FACEBOOK, MYSPACE, GOOGLE PLUS, SKYPE,WHATSAPP, APPLE FACETIME, LINKEDIN, gaming networks, online datingplatforms, network forums, news providers, hobby networks, and the like.

The transport arrangement and networking system 100 allows forintegration between such social media services and transportationfacilitation services, such as those provided by UBER. Accordingly,social and profile feeds provided on those social media platforms caninclude a number of embed features providing integration with thetransport arrangement and networking system 100, to allow for accessbetween services. For example, an embed feature on a social media feedor advertisement can enable a user to request or schedule a pick-upusing the transport arrangement and networking system 100, which canfacilitate servicing pick-up requests by identifying proximate drivers,selecting an optimal one of those drivers based on temporal or physicalproximity, and transmitting an invitation to the optimal driver toservice the pick-up request.

Further, such connectivity between social networks enables the system100 to provide added services for users in connection withtransportation. For example, the system 100 can provide users with acarpool association service type that, when selected for a pick-uprequest, causes the system 100 to instigate data calls 144 to socialmedia providers 185 in order to identify commonality links between therequesting user and potential carpool riders and/or drivers to bolsteruser experience. Thus, in various examples, the system 100 can include aservice interface 105 that can receive service requests 158 from userdevices 195. Such service requests 158 can originate from userinteraction with a designated application associated with the transportarrangement and networking system 100, or, as discussed above, from asocial media application with an embed feature thereon. Furthermore, theservice request 158 can indicate that the requesting user preferscarpooling, which may be cost-wise preferable to an individual carservice type.

In various implementations, the system 100 can include a selectionengine 150 that receives the service request 158. The system 100 canalso include a mapping module 120 that receives location data 159corresponding to the user's location, or a location indicated in theservice request 158. The location data 159 received by the mappingmodule 120 can also include driver locations from, for example, globalpositioning system (GPS) resources of the driver device(s) 190. Themapping module can provide map data 122 and/or traffic data 124indicating the respective locations of the requesting user and availableproximate drivers to the requesting user. In some examples, the userdevice 195 of the requesting user is provided ETA data 154 for a closestavailable proximate driver in light of a selected service type. Forexample, the requesting user can select a “Black Car” service type, andthe mapping module 120 can provide ETA data 154 for the closestavailable luxury car. As another example, the requesting user can selecta “carpool” or “associated carpool” service type, and the mapping module120 can provide ETA data 154 for a closest available driver that canfulfill the selected service.

The selection engine 150 can utilize the map data 122 and traffic data124, and can optionally utilize profile data 139 to select a driver tofulfill the service request 158. The system 100 can include a database130 comprising historical data 132 for the transport facilitationservices. The database 130 can also include user profiles 136 and driverprofiles 134, which indicate various preferences, ratings data, and thelike. If the service request 158 indicates a carpool request, theselection engine 150 can identify a proximate driver available toservice carpool requests, and transmit a driver invitation 152 to theselection driver's device 190 over the network 180. The driver canprovide a confirmation to service the carpool request, and pick-up therequest user along a designated route. Once the confirmation isreceived, the mapping module 120 can provide map data 122 to the userdevice 195 of the requesting user to indicate the ETA for the selecteddriver.

In examples, the system 100 can include a connectivity module 140. Thesystem 100 can provide the user devices 195 with an option to only bematched with carpool riders that have a commonality link with therequesting user on one or more social media platforms. This “associatedcarpool request” can be received by the selection engine 150, which canprovider user information 157 of the requesting user to the connectivitymodule 140. The connectivity module 140 can utilize the user information157 to generate data calls 144 to access additional user informationfrom one or more social media service providers 185 via a mediainterface 115 of the system 100. Such data calls 144 can enable thesystem 100 to analyze social media aspects of the requesting user toidentify potential commonality links with other carpool riders. Theconnectivity module 140 can further receive user data from other carpool(or associated carpool) requestors within a certain proximity of therequesting user, or a route to be traveled by the requesting user, andselect candidate carpool riders that have such commonality links.

As provided herein, the commonality links can include a common friendlink, a common educational institution link (e.g., the users graduatedfrom or attended the same university), a common profession link (e.g.,the users have the same or similar professions or careers), a commoncompany link (e.g., the users are associated with or work for the sameentity), a common hometown link (e.g., the users have lived in the sametown, city, or state), a common place of origin link (e.g., the userswere born or grew up in the same area), a common preferences link (e.g.,the users enjoy similar activities, have the same or similar hobbies,enjoy similar forms of entertainment, etc.). The connectivity module 140can receive identifying user information 157 from each user within apredetermined range requesting a carpool or associated carpool service,and determine whether commonality links between the requesting usersexist via the social media providers 185. Accessing the social mediadata 182 from the social media providers 185 can provide suchcommonality links between the requesting user and one or more otherrequesting users, and the connectivity module 140 can provide theconnection data 142 to the selection engine 150. The selection engine150 can utilize the connection data 142 in order to make pool selections155 of carpool riders that can ride with the requesting user.

In some examples, the pool selections 155 can be provided to theselected carpool driver's device 190 as additional driver invitations152, which the driver can accept in order to create a carpool route.Accordingly, the requesting user can be paired with other carpool ridersthat have common links to the user (e.g., have a similar hobby, orattended the same school). Additionally or alternatively, the system 100can identify patterns or routines of such users, and the connectivitymodule 140 can provide the connection data 142 to a profile manager 160of the system 100, which can provide profile updates 162 for the userprofiles 136 to indicate the commonality links.

In certain examples, the system 100 can further include a notificationgenerator 125 that can receive the user information 157 of therequesting users and the connection data 142 from the connectivitymodule 140. The user information 157 can include identifying informationthat can enable the notification generator 125 to transmit notificationsto individual user devices 195. When commonality links are identifiedbetween carpool riders, the notification generator 125 can generate andtransmit connection notifications 127 to commonly linked carpool ridersand/or carpool drivers. Timing and content of the notifications canvary. In some examples, regardless of whether a commonality link isfound between two carpool riders, the notification generator 125 canprovide a notification indication a particular quality of a carpoolrider as, for example, a point of conversation. Such notifications canbe transmitted to a rider prior to pick-up, or during the ride.Similarly, the notification generator 125 can transmit a connectionnotification 127 indicating the commonality link between two or morecarpool riders. Additionally, the notification generator 125 cangenerate and transmit an invitation to connect with or become friendswith a particular carpool rider after the user has arrived at thedestination, or after a particular carpool rider has exited the vehicle.

Such notifications can be provided as a pop-up or push notification.Additionally or alternatively, the notification can be provided as anindicator on a status bar, or as an increment indication on a particularapplication or application icon on the user device 195. User selectionof such indicators can show the invitation to connect, and the user canprovide an affirmative or dismissal input by way of a simple inputgesture, such as a swipe gesture.

In some implementations, the system 100 can provide further embedfeatures for social media platforms. For example, the system 100 canprovide a graphical user interface 197 upon execution of the designatedapplication on the user device 195. The GUI 197 can enable the user toview and select various transport service types, request a particularservice, view map data, and enable a payment service to pay forrequested transportation. When a pick-up is scheduled or requested, theGUI 197 can include an embed feature 198 that can enable the user totake photographs, provide status updates, tag friends or fellow carpoolriders, etc., and share such actions and updates on any number of socialmedia platforms through the designated application. For example, duringthe trip, the user can view trip data on the GUI 197 designatedapplication, and select the embed feature 198 to snap and share aphotograph on the user's social media feed.

Still further, when a user inputs a destination for a pick-up request,the system 100 can also pull data from social media resources to enablethe user to view photos or events associated with that destination. Asan example, upon inputting the pick-up request or scheduling a futurepick-up request on the designated application (e.g., an UBER appexecuting on a user device 195), the system 100 can access the user'ssocial media data 182 to identify metadata, captions, file titles, oruser tags that indicate a location, point of interest, or venueproximate to the destination. The system 100 can provide an indicator ornotification on the designated application that enables the user to viewstatus updates, social feed events, and/or images taken by the user orassociates of the user that relate to the destination.

Methodology

FIG. 2 is a high level flow chart illustrating an example method forfacilitating user connectivity in connection with a transportationarrangement service. The system 100 can receive a pick-up request from auser device 195 (200). The system 100 can identify that the pick-uprequest includes a carpool preference (210). Accordingly the system 100can select a carpool driver to service the pick-up request (220). Thesystem 100 may then identify other carpool riders that can be picked upalong a route to a destination (230), and provide the carpool driverwith added updates or invitations to continue picking up various riders.Thus, the carpool route may be dynamic, in that small adjustments to theroute can be made dynamically as the carpool riders are picked up anddropped off, and additional carpool service requests are received.

Over the course of the carpool route, the system 100 can access socialmedia data, from social media resources, to identify commonalitiesbetween carpool riders. The social media data can indicate common socialmedia links between the carpool riders and provide notifications to theriders showing such links. Thus, the system 100 can access social mediadata corresponding to the carpool riders (240), and identify a number ofcommon social media links between the carpool riders (250). The system100 can generate and transmit notifications to other carpool riders andthe requesting user indicating commonalities found via social mediadata. Furthermore, when the user arrives at the destination, the system100 can transmit a notification to the user, which can invite the userto connect with the other carpool riders via one or more social mediaplatforms (260).

FIG. 3 is a low level flow chart illustrating an example method forfacilitating user connectivity in connection with a transportationarrangement service. The system 100 can provide certain embed featuresto social media providers to integrate the social media services withthe transport arrangement service (300). The system 100 can also providea designated application associated with the transport arrangementservice to user devices 195 to enable users to directly access thetransport arrangement service (305). Each of the embed features on thesocial media applications, and the designated application itself canenable the user to request pick-ups (302), provide updates on socialmedia services (303), check-in or RSVP to a particular event on a socialmedia feed (304), provide associated carpooling (306), and anycombination of the above. The embed feature provided on the social mediafeed can further include a “take me there” feature, of an “Uber there”feature, which enables the user to request a pick-up via the socialmedia feed directly. Furthermore, upon arriving at a particulardestination, the embed feature can enable the user do a social mediacheck-in, to provide other users, or associations of the user, withinformation indicating that the user has arrived. Such indications canbe provided as push notifications to other users that are friends withthe arriving user, and who are attending the same event.

The system 100 can receive a carpool pick-up request from a user (310).In various examples, the system 100 can identify the carpool request asa normal or general carpool request without caveats (315). In suchexamples, the system 100 can select and invite a proximate carpooldriver to service the request (320). The system 100 can also identifycarpool riders that can be picked up along the route (325), and notifythe selected driver of the additional pick-ups. Furthermore, the system100 can access social media data (330) of the carpool riders (332), thedriver (333), and/or the requesting user (331). Analyzing the socialmedia data, the system 100 can identify common links (335) between therequesting user (336), the carpool rider(s) (337), and/or the driver(338). The system 100 can then generate and transmit a notification tothe user that indicates the common links (340). The system 100 can alsotransmit an invitation for the user to connect, via one or more socialmedia services, with another carpool rider (345). Such notifications andinvitations can be transmitted at any time prior to, during, or afterthe ride to the destination. Once the user arrives at the destinationand all notifications and invitations have been transmitted, the processcan end (350).

As an addition or alternative, the carpool request may be a specialized“associated” carpool request to only match the requesting user withcarpool riders that have some sort of commonality link in a particularsocial media service (355). Such commonality links may be preconfiguredby the user, or may be have a default to enable the system 100 to findany commonality link between the requesting user and would-be carpoolriders. Thus, upon receiving the associated carpool request, the system100 can access social media data of the user (365), and determinewhether there is a link between the requesting user and other requestingusers. The other users may be other associated carpool requestors, orgeneral carpool requestors. Accordingly, the system 100 can identifypotential common links in the social media data of the user (370), andthen identify other carpool riders that are commonly linked to therequesting user (375). As provided above, the common links can include acommon friend link (371), a common educational institution link (e.g.,the users graduated from or attended the same university), a commonprofession link (e.g., the users have the same or similar professions orcareers) (376), a common company link (e.g., the users are associatedwith or work for the same entity), a common hometown link (e.g., theusers have lived in the same town, city, or state) (374), a common placeof origin link (e.g., the users were born or grew up in the same area)(377), and/or a common preferences link (e.g., the users enjoy similaractivities, have the same or similar hobbies (372), enjoy similar formsof entertainment, etc.) (373).

The system 100 can then select a particular carpool to pick-up therequesting user (380)—where the riders and/or driver of selected carpoolsatisfy the association criteria of the associated carpool request.Furthermore, during the ride, the system can select further pick-ups ofother associated carpool riders. Before, during, and/or after the ride,the system 100 can transmit notifications indicating the commonalitylinks (385), and can further invite the riders to connect via one ormore social media services (390). Furthermore, using embed features onthe designated application, the user can provide updates and/or photosthrough the user's social media feed. Additionally or alternatively, theuser can access the social media application on the user's device andselect an embed feature to provide updates of the user's location, orcan provide a live map to other users indicating the user's currentlocation and ETA to a particular event. When the user is dropped off ata particular location, the user may interact with the embed feature onthe designated application to provide updates to associated users, whomay be at the destination location (e.g., a particular event). Once theuser arrives at the destination, and all notifications and invitationsare sent, the process may end (395).

User Interface Examples

FIGS. 4A and 4B are example screenshots illustrating a user deviceexecuting applications including features as provided herein. Referringto FIG. 4A, a requesting user may launch a designated applicationspecific to a network transport arrangement service on the user's device400. In response to launching the application, a GUI 410 can begenerated on the device 400 showing a location window 402, which can beassociated with a location pin 404 on the device. The location pin 404can be shown, by default, close to or at the current location of theuser. The location window 402 can enable the user to input an address orlocation for pick-up. Additionally or alternatively, the user canprovide input on the map on the GUI 410 to move the location pin 404 toa given location to specify a pick-up location. Upon setting thelocation pin 404, the location window 402 can automatically display anaddress corresponding to the location pin 404. In the example provided,the user has placed the location pin 404 for pick-up at the Palace ofFine Arts Theater, as identified in location window 402. The GUI 410 canfurther include a header bar 401, which can be selectable to toggle theapplication, access user profile data, access payment history data,access information about the application, access promotional content,and the like.

The GUI 410 can further include a service selector 408 which can enablethe user to select a service type. For example, “uberX” as shown in FIG.4A can correspond to one service type, while “Black Car” can correspondto a different, second service type. Similarly, a secondary selectionfeature can enable the user to select either “uberX” or “uberXL,” inthis example, which corresponds to a standard size vehicle or a largersize vehicle (SUV), respectively. The GUI 410 may also display therelative locations of proximate drivers 406 to the requesting user'scurrent location, or to the placement of the location pin 404, thatcorresponds to the currently selected service type (e.g., in thisexample, vehicles are shown that correspond to the “uberX” servicetype). The user may utilize a selection feature, for example, aselection feature on the location pin 404, to request a pick-up. Theuser may then set a destination location and submit the pick-up request.

As provided herein, one of the selectable service types may be an“UberPool” service type. As further discussed herein, another of theselectable service type may be an “associated carpool” service type thatenables the system 100 to select carpool riders and/or drivers thatfulfill a certain criteria before selecting a carpool to pick-up theuser—as discussed above.

Referring to FIG. 4B, upon requesting a carpool pick-up, the GUI 410 candisplay a pin on the pick-up location 418, and the location window 402can reflect the pick-up address. In some examples, the GUI 410 can alsodisregard other proximate drivers, leaving only an icon for the selectedcarpool driver 416. Additionally, the GUI 410 can include an ETAindicator 414 to show an estimated time of arrival for the selecteddriver.

FIG. 4C is a GUI showing a user device on which example notificationsare presented, as provided herein. The user device 400 can display anotification 454 indicating a particular commonality link identified bythe system 100. In the example provided, the notification 454 shows thatthe user and another carpool rider graduated from the same university.The notification 454 can be pushed over the designated applicationinterface as a selectable icon or a pop-up window. The system 100 canfurther generate an invitation 452 to connect with the carpool rider,for example, once the user is dropped off. Prior to or during thecarpool ride, the GUI 410 can provide an embed feature 456 to enable theuser to provide status updates or take photographs for sharing over oneor more social media outlets.

Hardware Diagrams

FIG. 5 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system upon whichexamples described herein may be implemented. A computer system 500 canbe implemented on, for example, a server or combination of servers. Forexample, the computer system 500 may be implemented as part of atransportation arrangement and networking service. In the context ofFIG. 1, the transportation arrangement and networking system 100 may beimplemented using a computer system such as described by FIG. 5. Thetransportation arrangement and networking system 100 may also beimplemented using a combination of multiple computer systems asdescribed in connection with FIG. 5.

In one implementation, the computer system 500 includes processingresources 510, a main memory 520, a read-only memory (ROM) 530, astorage device 540, and a communication interface 550. The computersystem 500 includes at least one processor 510 for processinginformation stored in the main memory 520, such as provided by a randomaccess memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, for storinginformation and instructions which are executable by the processor 510.The main memory 520 also may be used for storing temporary variables orother intermediate information during execution of instructions to beexecuted by the processor 510. The computer system 500 may also includethe ROM 530 or other static storage device for storing staticinformation and instructions for the processor 510. A storage device540, such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, is provided for storinginformation and instructions.

The communication interface 550 enables the computer system 500 tocommunicate with one or more networks 580 (e.g., cellular network)through use of the network link (wireless or wired). Using the networklink, the computer system 500 can communicate with one or more computingdevices, and one or more servers. In accordance with examples, thecomputer system 500 receives pick-up requests 582 from mobile computingdevices of individual users. The executable instructions stored in thememory 530 can include selection instructions 522, which the processor510 executes to select drivers and carpool riders to carpool with therequesting user. The executable instructions stored in the memory 520can also include connectivity instructions 524, which enable thecomputer system 500 to identify other users that are commonly linkedwith the requesting user. By way of example, the instructions and datastored in the memory 520 can be executed by the processor 510 toimplement an example transportation arrangement and networking system100 of FIG. 1. In performing the operations, the processor 510 canreceive pick-up requests 582, generate and transmit invitations 552 todrivers to service the pick-up requests 582, and transmit and/or relaynotifications 584 to riders and various social media providers via thecommunication interface 550.

The processor 510 is configured with software and/or other logic toperform one or more processes, steps and other functions described withimplementations, such as described by FIGS. 1 through 4C, and elsewherein the present application.

Examples described herein are related to the use of the computer system500 for implementing the techniques described herein. According to oneexample, those techniques are performed by the computer system 500 inresponse to the processor 510 executing one or more sequences of one ormore instructions contained in the main memory 520. Such instructionsmay be read into the main memory 520 from another machine-readablemedium, such as the storage device 540. Execution of the sequences ofinstructions contained in the main memory 520 causes the processor 510to perform the process steps described herein. In alternativeimplementations, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or incombination with software instructions to implement examples describedherein. Thus, the examples described are not limited to any specificcombination of hardware circuitry and software.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram that illustrates a mobile computing deviceupon which examples described herein may be implemented. In one example,a mobile computing device 600 may correspond to, for example, a cellularcommunication device (e.g., feature phone, smartphone etc.) that iscapable of telephony, messaging, and/or data services. In variations,the mobile computing device 600 can correspond to, for example, a tabletor wearable computing device. Still further, the mobile computing device600 can be distributed amongst multiple portable devices of drivers, andrequesting users.

In an example of FIG. 6, the computing device 600 includes a processor610, memory resources 620, a display device 630 (e.g., such as atouch-sensitive display device), one or more communication sub-systems640 (including wireless communication sub-systems), input mechanisms 650(e.g., an input mechanism can include or be part of the touch-sensitivedisplay device), and one or more location detection mechanisms (e.g.,GPS component) 660. In one example, at least one of the communicationsub-systems 640 sends and receives cellular data over data channels andvoice channels.

A driver of a transport vehicle can operate the mobile computing device600 when on a shift to provide transportation services. The memoryresources 620 can store a designated driver application 605 for linkingthe mobile computing device 600 with a network service that enables orotherwise facilitates the drivers' ability to efficiently servicepick-up requests. Execution of the driver application 605 by theprocessor 610 may cause a specified driver graphical user interface(GUI) 635 to be generated on the display 630. Interaction with thedriver GUI 635 can enable drivers of transport vehicles to receiveassignments to service pick-up requests or perform a pickup and/ordrop-off.

A requesting user of the network service can operate the mobilecomputing device 600 to transmit a pick-up request including a pick-uplocation. The memory resources 620 can store a designated userapplication 607 to link the requesting user with the network service tofacilitate a pick-up. Execution of the user application 607 by theprocessor 610 can cause a user GUI 637 to be generated on the display630. User interaction with the user GUI 637 can enable the user totransmit a carpool pick-up request in connection with the networkservice, which enables drivers to accept an invitation to service thepick-up request. Furthermore, notifications of commonality links andinvitations to connect with other carpool riders can be presented to theuser GUI 637. Still further, an embed feature can be provided on the GUI637 so that users can transmit updates and the like to social mediaservice providers to update a user profile or status feed via the userapplication 607.

While examples of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 provide for a computer system 500and mobile computing device 600 for implementing aspects described, insome variations, the mobile computing device 600 can operate toimplement some or all of the functionality described with the transportarrangement and networking system 100.

It is contemplated for examples described herein to extend to individualelements and concepts described herein, independently of other concepts,ideas or system, as well as for examples to include combinations ofelements recited anywhere in this application. Although examples aredescribed in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings,it is to be understood that the concepts are not limited to thoseprecise examples. As such, many modifications and variations will beapparent to practitioners skilled in this art. Accordingly, it isintended that the scope of the concepts be defined by the followingclaims and their equivalents. Furthermore, it is contemplated that aparticular feature described either individually or as part of anexample can be combined with other individually described features, orparts of other examples, even if the other features and examples make nomentioned of the particular feature. Thus, the absence of describingcombinations should not preclude claiming rights to such combinations.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a network communicationinterface to communicate, over one or more networks, with computingdevices of users of a transport service; one or more processors; and oneor more memory resources storing instructions that, when executed by theone or more processors, cause the system to: receive, over the one ormore networks, a pick-up request from a computing device of a requestinguser, the pick-up request including a carpool service preference toselect carpool riders that have at least one common link with therequesting user; transmit, over the one or more networks, a transportinvitation to a computing device of a proximate driver of a carpoolvehicle to service the pick-up request; access, over the one or morenetworks, user data of the requesting user and a plurality of potentialcarpool riders; based on accessing the user data, determine whether oneor more common links exists between the requesting user and each of oneor more carpool riders of the plurality of potential carpool riders;select the one or more carpool riders to ride with the requesting userin the carpool vehicle; and when either (i) the requesting user ispicked up by the proximate driver when the one or more carpool ridersare in the carpool vehicle, or (ii) the requesting user is in thecarpool vehicle and the one or more carpool riders are picked up,generate and transmit, over the one or more networks, a notification tothe computing device of the requesting user when the one or more commonlinks exist between the requesting user and the one or more carpoolriders, the notification indicating the one or more common links betweenthe requesting user and the one or more carpool riders.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more common links between the requestinguser and each of the one or more carpool riders comprise at least one ofa common friend link, a common educational institution link, a commonprofession link, a common company link, a common hometown link, a commonplace of origin link, or a common preferences link.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the executed instructions cause the system to transmitthe transport invitation to the computing device of the proximate driverafter determining that each of the one or more carpool riders have theone or more common links with the requesting user.
 4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the executed instructions cause the system to accessthe user data from one or more social media providers.
 5. The system ofclaim 4, wherein the user data comprises profile data, of the requestinguser and the one or more carpool riders, from each of the one or moresocial media providers.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the executedinstructions further cause the system to: provide an embed feature to asocial media provider to enable the users of the transport service toaccess the transport service from a social media application associatedwith the social media provider.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein thepick-up request is received, over the one or more networks, via theembed feature on the social media application executing on the computingdevice of the requesting user.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein theembed feature is provided for an event feed on the social mediaapplication, the event feed corresponding to a user profile of therequesting user on the social media application.
 9. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by oneor more processors of a system, cause the system to: communicate, overone or more networks, with computing devices of users of a transportservice; receive, over the one or more networks, a pick-up request froma computing device of a requesting user, the pick-up request including acarpool service preference to select carpool riders that have at leastone common link with the requesting user; transmit, over the one or morenetworks, a transport invitation to a computing device of a proximatedriver of a carpool vehicle to service the pick-up request; access, overthe one or more networks, user data of the requesting user and aplurality of potential carpool riders; based on accessing the user data,determine whether one or more common links exists between the requestinguser and each of one or more carpool riders of the plurality ofpotential carpool riders; select the one or more carpool riders to ridewith the requesting user in the carpool vehicle; and when either (i) therequesting user is picked up by the proximate driver when the one ormore carpool riders are in the carpool vehicle, or (ii) the requestinguser is in the carpool vehicle and the one or more carpool riders arepicked up, generate and transmit, over the one or more networks, anotification to the computing device of the requesting user when the oneor more common links exist between the requesting user and the one ormore carpool riders, the notification indicating the one or more commonlinks between the requesting user and the one or more carpool riders.10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein theone or more common links between the requesting user and each of the oneor more carpool riders comprise at least one of a common friend link, acommon educational institution link, a common profession link, a commoncompany link, a common hometown link, a common place of origin link, ora common preferences link.
 11. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 9, wherein the executed instructions cause the system totransmit the transport invitation to the computing device of theproximate driver after determining that each of the one or more carpoolriders have the one or more common links with the requesting user. 12.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein theexecuted instructions cause the system to access the user data from oneor more social media providers.
 13. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 12, wherein the user data comprises profile data, of therequesting user and the one or more carpool riders, from each of the oneor more social media providers.
 14. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 9, wherein the executed instructions further cause thesystem to: provide an embed feature to a social media provider to enablethe users of the transport service to access the transport service froma social media application associated with the social media provider.15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein thepick-up request is received, over the one or more networks, via theembed feature on the social media application executing on the computingdevice of the requesting user.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 15, wherein the embed feature is provided for an eventfeed on the social media application, the event feed corresponding to auser profile of the requesting user on the social media application. 17.A computer-implemented method of facilitating transport, the methodbeing performed by one or more processors and comprising: communicating,over one or more networks, with computing devices of users of atransport service; receiving, over the one or more networks, a pick-uprequest from a computing device of a requesting user, the pick-uprequest including a carpool service preference to select carpool ridersthat have at least one common link with the requesting user;transmitting, over the one or more networks, a transport invitation to acomputing device of a proximate driver of a carpool vehicle to servicethe pick-up request; accessing, over the one or more networks, user dataof the requesting user and a plurality of potential carpool riders;based on accessing the user data, determining whether one or more commonlinks exists between the requesting user and each of one or more carpoolriders of the plurality of potential carpool riders; selecting the oneor more carpool riders to ride with the requesting user in the carpoolvehicle; and when either (i) the requesting user is picked up by theproximate driver when the one or more carpool riders are in the carpoolvehicle, or (ii) the requesting user is in the carpool vehicle and theone or more carpool riders are picked up, generating and transmitting,over the one or more networks, a notification to the computing device ofthe requesting user when the one or more common links exist between therequesting user and the one or more carpool riders, the notificationindicating the one or more common links between the requesting user andthe one or more carpool riders.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein theone or more common links between the requesting user and each of the oneor more carpool riders comprise at least one of a common friend link, acommon educational institution link, a common profession link, a commoncompany link, a common hometown link, a common place of origin link, ora common preferences link.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the oneor more processors transmit the transport invitation to the computingdevice of the proximate driver after determining that each of the one ormore carpool riders have the one or more common links with therequesting user.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the one or moreprocessors access the user data from one or more social media providers.